KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia wishes to explore new cooperation related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) with Japan under the Look East Policy (LEP), says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pic).

The Prime Minister said the World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report (WEF) 2022 noted that issues such as climate change, social impact due to aging population and social polarisation after the Covid-19 pandemic are expected to seriously impact the economy and livelihood of most countries in the next 10 years.

"I urge that new areas of cooperation related to ESG can be explored by both countries through projects and programs implemented under the LEP.

"This includes diversifying cooperation in the field of disaster crisis, aging society, digital economy, science, technology and innovation as well as green growth," he said in his speech read by the International Trade and Industry (Miti) Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali in conjunction with LEP’s 40th anniversary held at a hotel here.

Ismail Sabri said four decades of successful cooperation between Malaysia and Japan are now centred on new areas in line with the technological revolution that brought changes to the industrial and global economic landscape.

The premier said cooperation in fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous systems, and the Internet of Things (IoT) in which Japan has high expertise, needs to be improved.

This, he said, will ensure the sustainability of LEP for years to come.

"Therefore, I hope the Japanese government will provide continuous support to encourage more cooperation in the field through the implementation of joint venture projects under the LEP," he added.

Ismail said as a pioneer in the global halal industry, Malaysia can help Japan to develop their halal industry.

"Malaysia as a pioneer in the global halal industry can certainly help Japan who has a high interest in developing its halal industry," he said.